11 January 2023 , 14:30
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Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang is reportedly intent on leaving Chelsea this month after the club completed the loan signing of Joao Felix.
The Blues came to a quick-fire agreement with Atletico Madrid to take the Portuguese forward to Stamford Bridge. His six-month loan spell was officially confirmed by Chelsea on Wednesday afternoon with just under £10million to be paid to Atleti for the arrangement and the Blues will also cover his wages.
That will further limit the game-time of Aubameyang, who has started just four Premier League matches this season with only one domestic goal to his name under boss Graham Potter.
The Gabonese striker had endured the ignominy midweek of being a substitute in the Premier League defeat against Manchester City to be hauled off in the second half as his side chased an equalising goal – as his struggles to assert himself under Potter continued.
Aubameyang was a transfer deadline day signing by the Blues last summer in a move which reunited him with former Borussia Dortmund boss Thomas Tuchel, who was subsequently sacked a week later – with the striker’s fortunes also struggling since.
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A report in Diario AS now outlines how Aubameyang is unhappy at Chelsea and is determined to seal a return to Barcelona ‘at all costs’ – just months after leaving the club. That deal is dependent on an outgoing from the Camp Nou, which is likely to be Memphis Depay.
Aubameyang has struggled to establish himself in Potter's Chelsea XI (Matt Impey/REX/Shutterstock)Have Your Say! Should Aubameyang leave Chelsea to return to Barcelona? Tell us what you think here.
The Dutch international forward is said to be on Atleti’s radar for replacing Felix in their attack, with the Portuguese’s loan move to Stamford Bridge triggering a merry-go-round of transfers between the trio of clubs in which they would move on one attacker while signing another.
Aubameyang only joined Barca a year ago, as he gave up part of his salary to seal a move to the Camp Nou from Arsenal. His contract at the Gunners was terminated on transfer deadline day to allow him to seal a move to the Blaugrana. FIFA rules only allow players to represent a maximum of two teams per season - and having made one appearance for the Catalan club this season, are the only other team he can play for this campaign.
The 33-year-old had a respectable goal return of 13 strikes in 24 appearances for Xavi Hernandez’s side, but the summer signing of Robert Lewandowski pushed him down the pecking order and preceded his return to London – signing for Chelsea on transfer deadline of the summer window.